Ukrainian Strikes Disrupt Russian Economy, Wildberries Seller Seeks Aid
WHO:
The Guardian - Wildberries, an online retailer in Russia, is referred to as "Russia’s Amazon."
The Guardian - Denys Shtilerman is the co-founder and chief designer of Ukraine’s leading arms producer Fire Point.
The Guardian - Marina Gorshkova is an entrepreneur and founder of a cosmetics brand with 1.3 million Instagram followers.
The Guardian - Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine.
The Guardian - Alexander Lukashenko is the Belarusian dictator.
The Guardian - Dmitry Peskov is the Kremlin spokesperson.
Meduza - Gorshkova has recorded a video appealing to Russia’s leadership.
WHAT:
The Guardian - Wildberries is seeking to lease about 100,000 square meters (1.1 million square feet) of warehouse space in Kazakhstan to protect its logistics network from Ukrainian drone attacks.
The Moscow Times - Wildberries is continuing with planned construction of logistics facilities, including centers of more than 100,000 square meters in Almaty and more than 160,000 square meters in Astana.
The Moscow Times - Wildberries announced a relief package for merchants, including reduced storage fees, promotional discounts for select products, and waived regional transit charges.
The Moscow Times - Wildberries stated it would freeze loan repayments for small and medium-sized businesses whose inventory was destroyed.
The Guardian - Wildberries has lost 10% of its warehousing capacity and significant stock due to Ukrainian drone attacks.
The Guardian - Wildberries has paid out 40 million roubles (US$508,582) to families of those killed or injured in the attacks.
Meduza - Gorshkova stated that she has paid 45 million rubles in taxes over the past year and a half.
Meduza - Gorshkova proposed tax exemptions for Wildberries sellers for at least a year and a loan payment holiday from banks.
WHERE:
The Guardian - Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted warehouses in the Moscow region, Tambov region, Krasnodar, Stavropol Krai, Leningrad region, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, and occupied Crimea.
The Guardian - Wildberries is referred to as "Russia’s Amazon."
WHEN:
The Guardian - Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries logistics centers and warehouses began on July 18.
The Guardian - An interview with Denys Shtilerman was posted on July 27.
WHY:
The Guardian - Ukraine is targeting Wildberries due to its role in supplying Moscow’s army and its partnership with state-controlled bank VTB.
The Guardian - Gorshkova emphasized the potential economic impact of Wildberries' closure on small and medium-sized businesses and tax revenue.
HOW:
The Moscow Times - Government support under discussion could include loans from state-owned banks to Wildberries or its sellers, as well as tax breaks or subsidies.
The Guardian - The Kremlin is considering government support for Wildberries, likely through state-controlled banks.
Meduza - Gorshkova called for oversight of how Wildberries fulfills its obligations to sellers, as she has been unable to retrieve her merchandise from the warehouse.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 16:25 UTC)
Wildberries is taking significant steps to bolster its logistics network by seeking to lease about 100,000 square meters of warehouse space in Kazakhstan, aiming to safeguard against Ukrainian drone attacks. The company is also pressing ahead with the construction of logistics facilities, including centers in Almaty and Astana that exceed 100,000 and 160,000 square meters, respectively. Additionally, Wildberries has introduced a relief package for merchants, which includes reduced storage fees and waived regional transit charges, while government support discussions may lead to loans and tax breaks for the company and its sellers.
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(UPDATED July 29, 2026 05:55 UTC)
Wildberries, often called "Russia’s Amazon," has suffered a 10% loss in warehousing capacity and significant stock due to Ukrainian drone attacks that began on July 18, targeting various regions including Moscow and occupied Crimea. In response to the situation, entrepreneur Marina Gorshkova has recorded a video appealing to Russia’s leadership, proposing tax exemptions for Wildberries sellers and highlighting the potential economic fallout from the company's struggles. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is reportedly considering government support for Wildberries, likely through state-controlled banks, as Gorshkova calls for oversight to ensure sellers can retrieve their merchandise.